A group of Bristol teenagers who set up a business selling reusable straws have been named area final winners of a major competition for young entrepreneurs.
The Clifton High School pupils beat off five other school groups in the city to win the West of England Young Enterprise Area Final with their Infinity Strawz business.
The group will now take part in the Regional South West England Finals and could potentially represent the UK in the Junior Achievement European Final.
Sharon Davies, chief executive of Young Enterprise, a charity supporting young people develop business skills, said: “Reaching the Company Programme West of England final represents an inspirational journey with many months of hard work, teamwork, creativity and resilience; congratulations Infinity Strawz.
“The experience and skills students from every team will have developed will stay with them for many years to come and will make a tangible difference to their futures.
“Students have shown particular resilience this year by continuing with their product development and sales despite school closures”.
Young entrepreneurs across the country have set up companies over the academic year, making all the decisions about their business, from deciding the company name and product, to creating a business plan, managing their finances and selling their products.
The area final, which was held digitally this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrates the achievements of student companies.
The businesses were judged by a panel of West of England professionals including: Jon Evans of of food wholesaler Arthur Davide; Neil Douglas of electrical monitoring company Viper; Nicole Crompton of Dunkley's Chartered Accountants; David Butler of accountancy firm Bishop Fleming; Ben Goldsmith of Goldsmith Property; Emily Douglin of software company Civica; and Rob Carter of Bamboo Business Coaching.
The judges also awarded trophies to student companies from St Bede’s Catholic School, Colton Girls School and Bristol Cathedral School.
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Ian Stuart, HSBC UK chief executive, said: “As businesses large and small are facing new and unprecedented challenges to meet the needs of their customers and wider stakeholders, it’s more important than ever that we support and nurture young, innovative entrepreneurs across Britain.
“The resilience and leadership shown by this year’s cohort of Company Programme finalists is inspiring, and we look forward to their continuing success in the months and years to come.”
Young Enterprise is now open for interest in taking part in the 2020/21 academic year. If you know a school interested in getting involved, email mel.bissagar@y-e.org.uk.
